IOC too acknowledged that supplies have been disrupted and the company is pushing to maintain its supply lines. The company conceded the impact would be greater if the strikes should continue as they’ve already started receiving reports of dry-outs in petrol pumps from some markets.

“There will be a larger impact but we are working towards maintaining our supplies by adding more (human) resources. We’re also maintaining supplies in critical areas like defence, railways and aviation but there are only 300 to 400 senior management officers to replace over 10,000 workers who have gone on strike,” said N Srikumar, general manager, corporate communications, IOC.

TWIN BLOWS

TRUCK STRIKE: Chief Minister Ashok Chavan invoked the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) against the defiant striking truckers in the state. The state now has the authority to arrest truckers who are disrupting the supply of essential commodities. After a marathon meeting with senior bureaucrats, Chavan has given a deadline to truck associations to resume services by Friday 9 am or “face consequences”. Chavan also threatened to call in the army.

OIL STRIKE: Oil companies have caused pumps in the city to almost dry up. Motorists queued up at pumps to fill their tanks. Fewer taxis and autorickshaws were on the roads as CNG stations were out of gas. BEST can run buses for three more days.

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